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Iraq Today
August 31, 2008
August has come to an end, and September unfolds. What the future holds in store is beyond, and within my grasp. The weather is superb! You couldn't ask for a nicer holiday weekend. The investment firm that owns the Roundy's corporation are pencil pushing bloodsucking scum. Once again I find myself at the mercy of forces outside of my sphere of influence. I put myself in this position by agreeing to work for the company, so I have no one to point a finger of blame to except myself.
The option of transferring to a different store will not improve or change the fundamental situation. The only thing that will and can change my lot is in the power of my own hands. The odds are stacked against me at this stage of my life because of the time constraints, but this can be overcome. This last act of creation will be the foundation of Eternity. The day starts at 6:30AM. I will do what ever is necessary to complete the tasks each and every day that will build the great pyramid. In the meantime, I will enjoy today and the great outdoors. A long walk will help clear the cobwebs that are accumulating around my mind, body, and spirit.
August 30, 2008
Wasn't able to sleep, so am sitting here in front of my computer monitor drinking a beer, and typing dribble. Had an interesting dream a few nights back. I was in Vegas dealing cards, and I didn't have it. I realized those days were behind me. I didn't feel grief at the loss of the dexterity and skill I once had. With dedication and practice, I could be good enough to do the job, but the high level of artistry I once possessed is gone. To be honest, I accept it. But when it comes to my martial art skills, the loss of those is unacceptable. It is true that we get old and are unable to perform even the most rudimentary tasks like wiping our own ass. But in the life of a martial artist, you continue forward training and adjusting with the passage of time. You may lose abilities, but the drive remains. The powers of mind never totally disintegrate. There are powers you acquire unrelated to the physical manifestations. These powers are of a personal nature.
A foundation is crucial. Without this, no magical working is possible. How can one walk the left hand path without a foundation? I have neglected my goals set forth that I vowed to accomplish by the end of 2008. I am alive today. The opportunity to change is in my grasp. Speaking of change, anyone in America that believes change is on the political horizon because a black man has been nominated by the Democratic Party to run for the office of President is a moron. How fucking naive are you? I have to accept the fact that the country I am presently living in is up to it's neck in shit. The economy is shit. The leadership is shit. And the future is shit. Realizing this, I have to summon the Will to create a Destiny I can be proud. First and foremost, I am Luciferian. I can not let the follies of others distract me from acquiring knowledge, power, and control over my life. I can not let weak leadership, fools, and herd mentalities stop me from rising above this prevalence of shit. I know a feeling of despair has hindered my actions. I cast this despair aside. Whatever happens, I will hold my ground. I know what I have to do. I have said this before ... no more complaints. I am guilty of not holding to that promise. I am off this coming Sunday and Monday. Time to get back on track and make headway on my promises, and my long term life goals.
8:35PM
I have two days off, and will take care of business. The only failure to incurr is inactivity. I shed my lethargic skin. The time of rebirth is long overdue. On the other hand, it has been a process ... I am staying home tonight, and will rise early tomorrow morning to begin what will be the final push to infinity.
August 29, 2008
Vinny the tattoo artist has not been in the store this past week. A sign recently put up says, "will back Tuesday. Have a great weekend." I will have to make time this coming week to get my ink. I will feel complete once the job is finished, and the styles match. I showed a few people at work the lion. All comments were the same. "it's beautiful." I have the day off, and am getting a few things done, but not everything. I am still fighting a lethargic streak of inactivity. Balance is surely not a part of my present projection. This has to change, and it won't until I make the change. Was browsing through my vast collection of reading materials. I am overwhelmed. I wonder where I found the time to download all this at 49.k (modem speed). It is amazing what I am capable of accomplishing once when I am focused. My gut is growing an extra layer of fat, and this has to go. Being 53, it doesn't take long to accumulate this fat, especially when I am sitting on my dead ass not exercising properly. It is a beautiful day, and I am going to take a walk, staff in hand. I recently purchased a shorter staff I will train with. I have said this before: I know what to do, I have all the tools. I just lack the motivation. These shackles will be stripped. It all starts with getting out of bed early and embracing the vision of my Will.
August 25, 2008
Picked up and paid for my new glasses. They are high tech, stylish, and I am pleased with them. The price tag is outrageous! I will have to take special care of them. The ground seems closer now because it is so clear. Because of this improvement, it appears that I am shorter. Strange result of having clear vision. Reality is a figment of our imagination. What we think we see, and what we think we know is only illusion. Watched the closing Olympic Ceremony from Beijing. It has been reported that the Chinese spent 40 billion dollars on these games. I think the money was well spent. They have 21st century infrastructure. They have set standards for other Olympic games to match and exceed. They put on a good face. Maybe this international exposure will have a positive affect on the society at large, and the government in particular. Time will tell. I suspect that after the world cameras leave, things will go back to the status quo. I am off today. I plan on talking to Vinny later this afternoon and set up a time to get the dragon re-done. If he can squeeze me in today, I will go under the needle, get the job done, heal, and get back to my physical training. It is important to let your tattoos heal, and to tend to them like a mother suckling a new born. One thing I gathered from listening to how the atletetes trained is they all got up early. Even the non-working athletes who had the means to train full time without having to hold a 9-5 job got up at the crack of dawn. Destroy the doubt. Detroy the man who was. Create the vision.
August 23, 2008
Was forced to take a vacation day in order to muster a full paycheck. I am down to one day in the meat department next week. I will be working in the frozen and grocery departments, but this economic downturn the country is experiencing is getting too close to home base. Spending money on tattoo upgrades probably isn't the wisest financial decision, but I don't give a rat's ass. I am only going to live this life, in this body for a finite period of time, and I have always tried to live with the thought that I will make the best of it. I have faltered. I have bent. But I have never broken. At the tender age of 53, I have come to the conclusion, once again, that martial arts is the foundation of my Destiny. Without the discipline it provides, I am nothing more than a turd floating through the currents of time at the mercy of forces beyond my control. My training is personal. It is the key to balance. I have neglected it, and I am the lesser for this. This situation is within my power to control.
August 22, 2008
The glam rock veteran - real name Paul Gadd - finally returned to the U.K. after spending two days at Bangkok airport, Thailand, trying to avoid being sent home. He was released from prison on Tuesday (19Aug08) after serving three years for child sex abuse. He remained in holding at London's Heathrow Airport upon arrival in Britain on Thursday morning (22Aug08) - while his lawyer attended Uxbridge Magistrates Court in west London to be told that Gadd must sign the Sex Offenders Register. After the case, the attorney told reporters Gadd is continuing to protest his innocence over his convictions for sexually assaulting two girls aged nine and 11 - and is hoping for the British legal system to come to his aid.
The solicitor said: "Mr Gadd says his trial in Vietnam was a charade and a travesty of justice. He never got a fair trial.
"This morning was an opportunity for him to come before an English court and English justice for the first time and make these points. "Unfortunately, the court did not agree to my submission that the court should hear about the unfairness of his treatment at the hands of the Vietnamese justice system. "Mr Gadd wants through me to say to you that he did not commit the offences of which he was convicted in Vietnam. It was a show trial and he had no opportunity to put his case forward." The solicitor said Gadd will "oblige" with the order to sign the Sex Offenders Register.
Looks like Glitter is home, and that the question whether he raped the under aged daughter of a diplomat will remain on the back burner, for now. I still think this case will resurface. Now that Glitter is in the U.K. and will have his travel restricted, he won't be hard to find if the case is pursued. They say a leopard can not change it's spots. Will Glitter be in the news in the future for having in his possession illegal pornographic pictures of children? I am starting to think he will. I will continue to give the man the benefit of a doubt, and hope he has seen the error of his ways. If he can't control himself, and continues to let this demon rule his life, it would be best if he was locked away for the rest of his life. I am not a fan of child molesters.
Short day today at the store. Tonight I will see my man Vinny at the tattoo parlor. He is going to redo my lion. This should finally get it done. This lion tattoo has been a 35 year project in the making. It doesn't look bad in the condition it is presently in, but it can be better. Next, I will improve my dragon by adding some more color, and highlighting some of the outline.
Back from the parlor:
The lion is finished. I could not be happier with it. After all this time, it is in perspective. The first redo in 2002 began to get things in order, but this final sitting has completed the job. I will get the dragon done the same way, and I will have my matching set.
August 21, 2008
Glitter was meant to have subsequently been deported to his native U.K. after being released from a Vietnamese prison, but has been staying at Bangkok airport in Thailand after claiming he felt ill during a stopover.
The star has since tried to wriggle out of returning to Britain, fearing he will be subjected to a Foreign Travel Order which would ban him from going overseas. He took a flight to Hong Kong on Wednesday (20Aug08) night - but was refused entry and had to return to Thailand. Now police and immigration officials in Bangkok have ordered that Gadd must board a plane bound for the U.K. on Thursday evening (21Aug08). A source tells WENN: "The whole case has become a circus and the Thai authorities are sick of it. They feel Glitter is making them look ineffectual in front of the world's press and they aren't taking it any more. "We are expecting them to put him on the Thai Airlines flight which gets in to London's Heathrow Airport at 7.15am tomorrow."
As bad as things seem to be in my life, there are others who are worse off. Did I bring my misfortunes down on myself? Maybe in ways I haven't been able to foresee, yes. The key question remains. Can I turn things around before I lose all option to change things? As far as Gary Glitter is concerned, his options are now limited as to where he can go, and what he can do. I still the think the old dog has a few aces up his sleeve. People love celebrities. People root for under dogs. Glitter has these things still going for him. I hate my job. I despise the people I have to work with. I do not belong in this situation. I have to extricate myself from this hell hole, and rise above the insanity I am dealing with. I know what I have to do. In the past, I was so despondent, I really didn't care. Things have changed. I care a great deal about creating a life I can live with, and be proud of.
August 20, 2008
There are several news stories concerning the release, the where abouts, and the plans of Gary Glitter since his release from a Vietnamese prison yesterday. Here is a brief synopses of the current hoopla:
The 64-year-old Gary Glitter - real name Paul Gadd - walked free from prison on Tuesday, and was due to fly back to his native Britain. Vietnam deported him after his release. Gadd flew from Vietnam to Bangkok, Thailand, where he was due to catch the flight to Britain. But he complained of a heart condition and asked to go to a hospital instead. It is not known if or when Gadd will return to the U.K., where he'll be placed on a sex offenders register. Thailand declared Glitter a "persona non grata" after he refused to board his flight.
The Leader of the Gang hitmaker claims he has been working on new material while serving time in prison for sexually abusing two young girls. He says, "I have an incomplete album that I want to finish. I have been thinking about the plan during my days in jail. I have sung rock 'n' roll for 40 years. After jail I will rock 'n' roll."
Glitter is hoping to release his memoirs - in a bid to prove his innocence.
He says, "God, am I happy to be leaving Vietnam and that jail. I should never have been in there. It has been a nightmare. Every second, I was set up, that's all I will say. "But you wait. All the time I've been inside I've been preparing my book. It's all here in my head.
"I'm an innocent man and my book will show you that."
I agree he was set up. I have believed that from the beginning, and have stated why. I have also made the point that Glitter has an obsession with under aged pornography. This predilection for viewing this type of material could very well lead to him acting out sexual fantasies with children. This is unacceptable. I was hoping to read something that conveyed the thought that Glitter was going to seek counseling, and get a grip on his demon. Let's face the facts. When he was initially arrested trying to leave Vietnam before his arrest on the charges that eventually tossed his ass in the can, he had in his possession a lap top computer containing 1000's of pornographic pictures of children. The man needs help, and more than likely is a danger to society. If Glitter writes a book, I'll read it.
More Glitter News
Busy day for Gary Glitter. He travelled to Thailand, where he was due to catch a connecting flight to his native Britain - but he refused to board complaining of chest pains, despite a doctor pronouncing him fit to fly.
The 64-year-old then broke Thai law by spending more than 12 hours in Bangkok without a visa, allowing authorities to deport him to Hong Kong, a special administrative region of China.
Thai immigration service spokesperson Colonel Voravat Amornvivat confirmed on Wednesday (20Au08): "He left Thailand for Hong Kong this evening" Britain has not announced any outstanding charges against the singer, but declared he would be placed on the sex offenders register upon his arrival, monitored by police and banned from travelling abroad. Further news alerts have notified me that Chinese authorities have refused Gary Glitter entry to Hong Kong. At the present moment, I don't know where he is, or where he is heading. I am sure information will be forth coming in the following days.
August 19, 2008
Gary Glitter has been released from a prison in southern Vietnam, where he served a three-year sentence after he was convicted of child sex offences. The 64-year-old singer - real name Paul Gadd - walked free on Tuesday August 19, 2008 and is due to fly back to his native Britain after being deported from the country. His lawyer Le Thanh Kinh insists that the singer is delighted to have been released. He says, "He is a free man from today. The only problem is the countries he wants to go to because he has to get a visa. "He is looking forward to coming back. He is OK but he is worried about his health. He has problems with his hearing and his heart." Gadd is expected to be placed on the sex offenders' register upon his return to his native U.K., which will see his movements monitored by police.
I am happy for him. It has been a long, difficult road for this artist. I still think he will be arrested once he hits British soil. Will have to see how this unfolds. Had a dream last night. I was a member of Giacobbe's karate academy. He wanted me to test for something, and I didn't feel like I was ready. I think I know what this dream means; if I am not willing to create the future, I will be regulated to live in the past. One choice creates my Destiny, the other imprisons me in a cell of my own fashion. We build our cages whether we realize it or not.
August 18, 2008
The weather is nice; sunny and slightly hot. For mid-August, you can't expect anything else. It isn't muggy like the normal "dog days of summer" for this time of the year. I will be getting outside this afternoon with my favorite walking staff. I was reading comments people are making on various forums throughout the Internet. Once again the losers and ignoramuses have risen their ugly heads and are bad mouthing Alicia Sacramone. These comments are coming from people who have never accomplished jack shit, or had the guts to try. It is a weakness of mine to think that the great majority of people are good at heart. The great unwashed are scum walking upright. The sooner I brand this reality on my synapses, the better off I will be. I have a great deal to accomplish, and I don't have an abundance of time left to do it, but I will not be broken. I can not let economic uncertainty break my will. Will is still my greatest asset, and continues to serve me. This is what sets me apart from the Neanderthal. What they think of me is of no consequence.
News:
Gary Glitter will launch a musical comeback as soon as his ailing health is restored, his lawyer has confirmed. His lawyer Le Thanh Kinh says: "The first thing that he will do when he returns home is to focus on his health, since he is fairly old," noting that he has "little hearing problem". But Kinh adds that once Glitter's health is restored, the Leader of the Gang singer expects to "pursue his unfinished work". In recent interviews conducted from his prison cell, Glitter had said he hoped to move to Singapore or Hong Kong after his release, and to start recording music again. But in a statement issued by his lawyer, the star is expected to be deported to his native Britain upon his release. Glitter is scheduled to be released on Tuesday August 19, 2008.
Sounds like a setup. I have been saying all along, once Glitter touches UK soil, he will be arrested for the alleged rape of a diplomat's under aged daughter. I don't know what to make of these charges. They are certainly suspect in my opinion.
I am curious as to see how this plays out.
August 17, 2008
I was going to head out to Club Inferno tonight and watch a bondage show, but decided to stay home and watch more Olympic coverage from Beijing. I am glad I did. The events today have been spectacular. Again, the judging panel has decided to punish our female gymnasts by handing down low scores. Why a protest wasn't made regarding the women's vault is beyond me.
From what I have read, the coaches on the women's gymnastic team are sanctimonious ass holes. Clearly, Alicia Sacramone deserved the Bronze Medal, but was shafted. (The same bullshit scoring went down during the women's all around final.) The Chinese gymnast crashed to the floor on her dismount, and scored higher than Sacramone. Yes, her difficulty was greater, but if the proper deductions were calculated, Alicia Sacramone would have got third place. The rest of the world hates America so badly they are willing to cheat, steal and deprive innocent people recognition to make the point. I think it also sad that the Olympics here in America are nothing more than a glorified business opportunity. Athletes are expected to bring home the Gold so corporations can make money from their achievements.
The athletes are commodities to be used and discarded.
August 15, 2008
Bad news for my bank account. I am not going to be able to defer any of the cost incurred for my eye exam or the physical glasses. The final bill is outrages. One consolation ... I received quality care and the glasses themselves are top of the line. The idea of going to some "mall" type eye care center and getting cheap looking frames with low cost materials doesn't make sense. This type of second class care is what my insurance would have covered. When it comes to your eyes, how can you cut costs? The saying, "you get what you pay for" holds true here. I will just have to suck it up, and bite the financial bullet. Last night's women's all-around gymnastic final was a marvel to behold. The judges did everything in their power to underscore and rattle the two US finalists, but in the end, they triumphed. I was totally amazed at the athletic prowess of these two women. Track and field is coming up next, and that will be a unique and thrilling spectacle. Back to the salt mine today. My hours have been cut to the point of stupidity. I should be laid off so I can collect my deserved unemployment benefits. As it stands, hours for me to work are being provided in other departments. I should be happy management thinks highly of me, and doesn't want to loose my services.
August 13, 2008
Had my eyes tested this morning, and will be getting a new pair of glasses. I realize it is my responsibility to check on what my insurance covers, or doesn't cover, but I thought I had SOME sort of eye care benefit with my current coverage. After a phone call to verify, I have sadly been informed that Roundy's has ZERO eye care benefit associated with the package they are offering employees. What a crock of shit. This company is all about stuffing money into their pockets. To be more accurate, the investment company that bought them out is all about money. These cheap ass bastards cut hours, positions, and expect the remaining employees to fill the vacuum. If you don't want to do that, you are shown the door. I am really pissed off. The exam and the glasses are going to cost me $800. I was hoping I wasn't going to have to take out the $2100 I have in a state retirement fund, but looks like I have no choice but to cannibalize it. I called up the main office, and they are sending me the separation benefit paperwork. My goal of being more self sufficient by the end of this year isn't progressing as I had planned. I take responsibility for this short coming. New insight has revealed to me what steps are neccessary to change what needs to change in order for me to pull my head out of my ass, and get with the program.
I have an appointment with a tattoo artist at 8PM. I am getting some fresh ink. I will be talking with him about sprucing up the two main tattoos I have, and make them sharper and more colorful. You only live once. I am sick and tired of limping through this present existence. It is time to kick some ass, mainly my dead one.
9:50 PM
I found out at work that we are covered for eye care, not with the health care provider, but a separate entity. I am checking on whether this company recognizes the optometrist I saw. I don't see why not considering they are one of the more popular and notable in this state. From what I have gathered, if I am covered, I will save around $375 on the hardware along with having the cost of the exam covered 100%. I sorely need that cushion in the bank. My new ink looks fantastic! I am very pleased with how they look, and how they add to the total ensemble. I will take proper care of them these next two critical days. I see no reason to believe that I am in any danger of infection, but will take all the necessary and prudent precautions. I am going to have the artist who did these touch up my other two main tattoos. They are going to be totally sweet. The artist is Vincent (Vinny) Woda. His parlour is called Dragon's Glen Tattoos located at 356 E. Main Street here in Stoughton, WI. Phone (608) 873-6621.
August 11, 2008
Something that Alexander Graham Bell probably never saw coming ...
"I find that most of my regular callers form some sort of bond with me—almost an addiction.
I am the one they come to for punishment if they feel the urge.
The one they come to for discipline, instruction, and permission.
I am their drug."
-- Phone Sex Operator
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I took this "quiz" today ...
Your result for The Right Brain vs Left Brain Test...
Left Brained!
You scored 35% on Right, higher than 13% of your peers.
You scored 65% on Left, higher than 87% of your peers.
Your answers indicate that you are more left brained than right brained. Approximately half the population is left brained. People who are left brained tend to be more logical, detail and fact oriented, pragmatic, and safe. You prefer order and structure. You tend to examine all the minute details rather than seeing the big picture, and you don't like doing things that haven't been planned in advance. Math, science, and language are subjects that probably interest you. You are the friend that often gets requests to help plan weddings or vacations. You are responsible and reliable. Physicist Stephen Hawking is left brained.
Take The Right Brain vs Left Brain Test at HelloQuizzy
An interesting little quiz! I do not believe this test is highly reliable. I answered questions a certain way because I chose the better of two answers. I found some of the "right/left brain" questions silly, or wimpy. I made a conscious decision one year ago to exercise both sides of my brain, and create a unified left-right brain configuration. Maybe I will have to re-evaluate my so called left brain dominance. My math and science skills are not highly developed, but my language skills are. I do look at the big picture. In fact, looking at minute details was something I learned to focus on to facilitate left brain perspective. I do prefer order and structure, but I am also a free spirit ready to take flight on some wild esoteric adventure at the drop of a hat. Again, this test isn't reliable.
I am enjoying the 2008 Summer Olympics. China has spared no expense on building an impressive array of venues to accommodate these games. The Olympics are about athletes coming together and promoting good will, fair play, and common goals. Politics have no place here, despite the People's Republic oppressive posture on free speech, Internet access, and the crimes committed in Tibet. After the games are over, criticism of these issues can resume. For now, let the athletes have their days.
August 10, 2008
Beautiful day; sunny with a slight breeze. Perfect summer weather. I went for a walk toting a walking staff I bought a few weeks ago. I enjoyed it. This staff has to be part of my exercise regimen. Bought some lottery tickets, and watched the Olympics today. All in all, a laid back 53rd birthday.
August 7, 2008
Gary Glitter is to be released from Thu Doc jail in Binh Thuan on August 19. His lawyer has confirmed he will not have to sign a sex offenders register - despite being convicted of molesting children. Le Thanh Kinh said:
"Once on the aircraft he's a free man. He won't be accompanied."
Glitter, 63, was arrested in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in November 2005 on suspicion of abusing children.
In March 2006, he was convicted of committing obscene acts with two girls, aged 11 and 12, and sentenced to three years imprisonment. He was also ordered to pay $315 (GBP158) to the families of his victims.
I wonder where he will end up. He would have to be crazy to return to the UK. I downloaded a copy of Doyle Brunson's "Power Poker" Book. According to poker experts, this is the Bible of all poker books. I will read it for enjoyment. I have too many books to read and little time to accomplish it. No matter how long you walk this Earth, there just isn't enough time. This is the great irony of Life. And even when you come to a the correct conclusion that choices you have made were in error, there is less than ever. The only consolation I can make is that I made the effort to make better choices, and to accomplish something with the time I have left. In honor of the 2008 Olympics, and not necessarily it's hosting nation, I have included a link to the official homepage. This banner link will remain on the August 2008 page.
August 4, 2008
Alexander Solzhenitsyn died last Sunday at the age of 89. I read his books about the Gulag system of forced labor camps that, at its peak, consisted of over four hundred official prisons and held millions of inmates. Here are some quotes by the famous author
A state of war only serves as an excuse for domestic tyranny.
Do not pursue what is illusory - property and position: all that is gained at the expense of your nerves decade after decade and can be confiscated in one fell night. Live with a steady superiority over life - don't be afraid of misfortune, and do not yearn after happiness; it is after all, all the same: the bitter doesn't last forever, and the sweet never fills the cup to overflowing.
If one is forever cautious, can one remain a human being?
Our envy of others devours us most of all.
Own only what you can carry with you; know language, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.
His passing is a bitter sweet experience for reasons I will not elaborate.
I had one day off this week. Am looking forward to finishing this week, and celebrating my 53rd birthday Sunday.
August 1, 2008
Gary Glitter will be released from a Vietnamese prison later this month after serving almost three years. Glitter will be released from Thu Doc jail in Binh Thuan on 19 August and faces deportation when he is freed. Vietnamese prison service official Chu Xuan Mau says,
According to Vietnamese law, Glitter will be freed on August 19. The decision on his release will be read before him that day. It will be signed by the director of the prison. We have sent his file to the provincial external relations office and relevant police offices.
Glitter continued to protest his innocence while behind bars.
The powers that be in Vietnam did not cut Glitter any slack. He served the entire sentence. He isn't out of the woods just yet. Strange things happen in prison, like gettting poisoned or stabbed. The guy has enemies. I hope he gets a fair shot at turning over a new leaf.
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